Through March 14: Pseudonymous playwright Jane Martin skewered the world of regional theater in her 2000 play “Anton in Show Business.” Now, Martin turns her poison pen toward popular culture in this comedy that centers on the unlikely relationship between the uber-famous Sheena Keener and the utterly unfamous Loli. And, yes, her name is pronounced “lowly.” Expect broad comedy and a touch of satire in this production helmed by Mixed Blood artistic director Jack Reuler and featuring his daughter, Taj. Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. Fourth St., Mpls.; $28-$14; 612-338-6131 or mixedblood.com.

— Dominic P. Papatola

THEATER / VIOLET

Through March 21: If you saw the Guthrie Theater’s production of “Caroline, or Change” last season, you’ve had a taste of composer Jeanine Tesori’s work. Theater Latte Da brings another of her works to the Guthrie, this time in the upstairs Dowling Studio. The title character of the musical, set in the Deep South at the dawn of the civil rights movement, is a young white woman who is physically and emotionally scarred. She sets out on a journey to find healing and encounters a black soldier who teaches her about beauty, courage and what it means to be an outsider. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; $30-$18; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org

— Dominic P. Papatola

VISUAL ART / ABSTRACT RESISTANCE

Through May 23: A look at how artists have responded to traumatic historical events since World War II, “Abstract Resistance” includes about 40 works, most from the Walker’s collection, ranging from the 1950s to a new commission. Walker After Hours preview party, 9 p.m. today ($35). Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $10 (adults), $8 (seniors), $6 (students/teens); 612-375-7600 or walkerart.org.

— Amy Carlson Gustafson

FEB. 28

WORLD MUSIC / THE CHIEFTAINS

Today: Sometimes, local visits by Ireland’s foremost traditional folk group, the Chieftains, have felt more like a diplomatic mission than an Irish seisiun. Maybe they received a wake-up call when longtime harpist/keyboardist (and most fun-loving of members) Derek Bell died in 2003. Their tribute to him, 2005’s “Live in Dublin,” was their most exciting recording in years, both deeply moving in its sad ballads and thrilling in its fast-paced fare. Incorporating elements of Latin and American folk traditions, it seemed the Chieftains had at last put all of their stylistic eggs in one basket. Which raises hopes for this Orchestra Hall concert being a spirited Celtic rave-up. 7 p.m.; Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; $55-$30; 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org.

— Rob Hubbard

METAL / PAUL DI’ANNO

Today: Much like Al Atkins, Paul Di’Anno’s name has become a footnote in the pages of heavy-metal history. But unlike Atkins, who was Judas Priest’s singer prior to Rob Halford, Di’Anno recorded with his band, Iron Maiden. He appeared on the group’s first two albums before losing his position due to substance-abuse problems. Then he watched his replacement, Bruce Dickinson, become world famous. In the decades since, Di’Anno has continued to tour and record with a long line of mostly forgotten acts — Gogmagog, Praying Mantis, Battlezone, Killers — and published his autobiography, “The Beast.” Icarus Witch, Cwn Annwn, Avalon and Hate Beast are also on the bill for this stop on Di’Anno’s first U.S. tour in more than 15 years. 6 p.m.; Station 4, 201 E. Fourth St., St. Paul; $12; 651-298-0173.

— Ross Raihala

CLASSICAL / BENJAMIN GROSVENOR

Today: While the classical music industry tends to oversell young artists, the consensus among European critics is that English pianist Benjamin Grosvenor is, indeed, something special. When he took home the top keyboard prize at the 2004 BBC Young Musician competition, he was but 11 years old. Now 17, he’s performing recitals at world-class venues like London’s Wigmore and Barbican halls, as well as playing concertos with top orchestras like the Philharmonia. Among his greatest stateside proponents has been the Twin Cities-based Frederic Chopin Society, which brought him here for his American debut in 2006. He returns for a recital that features works by Nikolai Kapustin, Liszt, Chopin and Ravel. 3 p.m.; Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, 130 Macalester St., St. Paul; $20-$12; 612-822-0123.

Monday: There has never been a shortage of guitar heroes in the music universe, but eight-string ax man Charlie Hunter is in a category by himself. (He plays a seven-string model, too.) The Berkeley, Calif., native’s ability to play chords, bass line and melody simultaneously makes him a one-man band for the jazz and jam-band worlds, although he does use rhythm-section backing. Hunter has cranked out 20 quality albums over the past 16 years and collaborated with luminaries including Norah Jones, John Mayer and D’Angelo. But given his freakish virtuosity, he’s best appreciated in person. 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; $25 (early), $20 (late); 612-332-1010.

— Dan Emerson

FAMILY / P.T. BARNUM ANNIVERSARY

Monday-March 13: Known as a master of self-promotion, P.T. Barnum was also the founder of what became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. To mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man with “the greatest show on earth,” the St. Paul Library is offering a modest one-man show at a library near you. Character actor Jake Esau will portray Barnum and tell you a bit about the Fiji Mermaid and other 19th-century hoaxes and hypes. 7 p.m. Monday; Riverview Library, 1 E. George St., St. Paul (check Web site for other locations and times); free; sppl.org.

— Maja Beckstrom

FOLK / PUNCH BROTHERS

Monday: Although it seemed to be at the peak of its game, neo-bluegrass trio Nickel Creek went on an extended, and possibly permanent, hiatus in 2007, freeing the band members to pursue other projects. For mandolinist/vocalist Chris Thile, that meant relaunching his solo career and recording with a group of friends that ultimately became known as the Punch Brothers. The stylistically adventurous five-piece is likely to appeal to folks who dug Nickel Creek’s later years. These guys play sharp originals and indulge in unexpected covers, including songs by Jimmie Rodgers and the White Stripes. 7:30 p.m.; Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $20-$18; 612-338-2674.

— Ross Raihala

MARCH 2

ROCK / JOHN MAYER

Tuesday: Perhaps you’ve heard John Mayer’s thoughts about sex? The 32-year-old light-rock star has promoted his latest album, “Battle Studies,” by posing shirtless for Rolling Stone and revealing the ethnic preference of his genitals to Playboy, all the while kissing-and-telling about his relationships with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston. It makes for dishy reading, but what about Mayer’s music? That, in theory, is the main attraction of his return to the X, following shows there in 2004 and 2007. Frequent Twin Cities visitors Michael Franti and Spearhead will open the show. 8 p.m.; Xcel Energy Center, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $71-$51; 800-745-3000.

— Ross Raihala

FOLK / LAURA VEIRS

Tuesday: With winter still clinging to our cold Minnesota bones, Oregon singer/songwriter Laura Veirs’ latest album may bring a taste of what’s around the corner. Veirs named the disc “July Flame” after a variety of peach she discovered on a hot summer day in 2008 and she recorded it in a relatively cool, stripped-down fashion, breaking away from the full-band sound of her recent work. Veirs, a Colorado native, started her first band while a student at Carleton College and ultimately settled in her current home of Portland. Fellow Oregonians Old Believers open alongside Seattle-based Cataldo, a band fronted by former Macalester College student Eric Anderson. 7:30 p.m.; Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $14-$12; 612-338-2674.

— Ross Raihala

WORLD MUSIC / ANGELIQUE KIDJO

Tuesday-Wednesday: The music of Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo has always been tough to define. She grew up listening to American artists like James Brown and Stevie Wonder, studied and performed jazz in Paris and now performs genre-jumping songs in four languages. So it shouldn’t be surprising that her latest album, “Oyo,” features a rich variety of cover songs she says make up “the story of my childhood,” including her takes on African numbers by Bella Bellow and Miriam Makeba, American classics by Santana and Curtis Mayfield and even a reimagined Bollywood theme song. The CD is already out abroad and will be released here in April. 7 p.m.; Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; $45-$36; 612-332-1010.

— Ross Raihala

MARCH 3

DANCE / AKRAM KHAN COMPANY

Wednesday: It came to Akram Khan while stuck in a Tokyo elevator with people of various cultures and costumes. The acclaimed London-based choreographer decided to create “Bahok,” a work about a disparate group trapped in a waiting room and trying to find its way home. The collaboration with the National Ballet of China is a fine example of Khan’s East-meets-West aesthetic, combining modern dance and traditional folk styles while employing eight dancers from six countries. The work, set to the music of Nitin Sawhney, has been hailed as a thought-provoking and energetic piece with lots of stylistic cross-pollination. 8 p.m.; Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Mpls.; $55-$31; 612-624-2345 or Northrop.umn.edu.

— Rob Hubbard

EVENT / SAMPLE NIGHT LIVE!

Wednesday: There truly is something for everyone at this showcase for Twin Cities performers. In fact, there are a dozen acts on SNL’s March roster, including Lyric Arts, SteppingStone Theatre, a sketch from the producers of “It’s Outta Here,” the Prime Time Players, Theatre of Fools, Maud Hixson and Erin Schwab, Alice Shindelar, Zeitgeist, the Adventures of Tim, Troy and Damian and Courtney McLean and the Dirty Curls. The G-rated show starts at 7 p.m. and is followed by the unrated lineup at 8:15. History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $20 (adults), $10 (students and seniors), $5 (ages 5-12); samplenightlive.com.

— Amy Carlson Gustafson

MARCH 4

SKA / THE ENGLISH BEAT AND FISHBONE

Thursday: Two generations of legendary ska bands have joined forces for this dual-headlining gig. The English Beat was among the key acts of England’s ska revival of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Soon after the band broke up, Fishbone began recording a distinctly American version of that sound, adding punk rock and funk to the mix. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did the same thing to great financial success, something that has eluded Fishbone, even though it continues to regularly release new music and has a documentary about its history due out soon. This version of the English Beat, meanwhile, features only guitarist/vocalist Dave Wakeling from the original lineup. 8 p.m.; the Cabooze, 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $25-$22; 612-338-6425.

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